So I just finished my first semester at Sri Sri University. What a trip! This is my first time ever being in India for over three months. I must say, I went on several trips in my head...I spent days and nights stressed about wanting to change so many things at SSU. I struggled with the lack of structure, the major difference in lecture styles, the fluid and ambiguous class schedules, the cafeteria food, the heat, the cleanliness, the transportation, the you name it, I struggled with it! There were several lectures where I didn't even understand the lectures because the professor preferred speaking in Hindi vs. English...could you imagine studying human anatomy and physiology in Hindi! Gratefully, now I have found a very comfortable setup (after moving seven times in my 1st semester) and am very happy at Sri Sri University...in my second semester now. Back to the first fall semester...all in all, I would say I learned a lot and also feel like I have grown spiritually. I feel much happier now and sincerely enjoy being in class. I am no longer disturbed by the lack of structure and the lack of communication skills. I am no longer bothered by the lack of books availability or my lack of knowledge on how to order. I feel at peace with the ambiguity...everything is changing. Part of living here is living the knowledge...are we present to each moment? Can we accept people and situations as they are? Are opposite values complimentary? Whether success of failure, do we remain equanimous? I would feel down after performing poorly on say a Sankskrit exam, but then realized that I can choose to maintain my equanimity in mind...my own peace of mind whether success or failure. I also realized that not everyone will like me. I realize here too that everything is changing and there is no need to be the football of other peoples' opinions. I learned that the more I was involved in seva, the better I could pay attention in class and the more I was centered, grounded, and focused on helping others vs. selfishly thinking about myself or gossiping about others...either verbally or in my head.
I also found that prioritizing what I sincerely wanted to take on would bare the most fruit. I decided to focus on studying and teaching and ended up successfully teaching one Happiness Program and one or two Sri Sri Yoga courses. I am grateful for being able to do both.
Aside from the challenges associated with living in India and adjusting to a very different academic system, I do feel like I learned a great deal of information related to yoga. I am grateful for the exposure to anatomy, physiology, and Sanskrit...these were somewhat new subjects all together for me.
I also am grateful for the opportunity to help shape my home, Sri Sri University. I was able to get involved with some fun seva projects and help create our gym, and keep our campus looking beautiful.
Having Gurudev, Girin Bhaiya, Kamlesh Ji, and Kashi Bhaiya all at Sri Sri University related to the Sri Sri Yoga program was amazing. I am also so grateful for having Bawa and Dinesh Ji here at SSU. Just being around all of them brightened my days. I sincerely feel happier having spent quality time with all of them. I am truly grateful that Gurudev has prioritized the success of our university and has these true leaders within the Art of Living here at Sri Sri University.
Well, I can't forget my parents visiting me. I was so happy that they came to visit me at Sri Sri University. I feel blessed that my parents came half way around the world to see me in India. I enjoyed their time here and especially enjoyed seeing the temples and visiting Puri. My favorite part about this area in general are the rivers and the ocean. I love the water.
Well, with all this said, I am excited to think about having 1,000 students on campus next year. We are going to have a great yoga program in 2015 and I hope I can help in some way shape the future of our school and graduates.
With lots of love.
Jai Guru Dev,
An Aspiring Yogi
I also found that prioritizing what I sincerely wanted to take on would bare the most fruit. I decided to focus on studying and teaching and ended up successfully teaching one Happiness Program and one or two Sri Sri Yoga courses. I am grateful for being able to do both.
Aside from the challenges associated with living in India and adjusting to a very different academic system, I do feel like I learned a great deal of information related to yoga. I am grateful for the exposure to anatomy, physiology, and Sanskrit...these were somewhat new subjects all together for me.
I also am grateful for the opportunity to help shape my home, Sri Sri University. I was able to get involved with some fun seva projects and help create our gym, and keep our campus looking beautiful.
Having Gurudev, Girin Bhaiya, Kamlesh Ji, and Kashi Bhaiya all at Sri Sri University related to the Sri Sri Yoga program was amazing. I am also so grateful for having Bawa and Dinesh Ji here at SSU. Just being around all of them brightened my days. I sincerely feel happier having spent quality time with all of them. I am truly grateful that Gurudev has prioritized the success of our university and has these true leaders within the Art of Living here at Sri Sri University.
Well, I can't forget my parents visiting me. I was so happy that they came to visit me at Sri Sri University. I feel blessed that my parents came half way around the world to see me in India. I enjoyed their time here and especially enjoyed seeing the temples and visiting Puri. My favorite part about this area in general are the rivers and the ocean. I love the water.
Well, with all this said, I am excited to think about having 1,000 students on campus next year. We are going to have a great yoga program in 2015 and I hope I can help in some way shape the future of our school and graduates.
With lots of love.
Jai Guru Dev,
An Aspiring Yogi
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